COALESCING FILTER SIZING

AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS

USING RATED AND
SPECIFIED PRESSURE LOSS
COMPONENTS
This case study discusses the sizing of a coalescer filter and demonstrates its
fouling life cycle analysis using a Flownex® model which implements two new
pressure loss components:

- A rated pressure loss component.

- A specified pressure loss component.

OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

 OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Challenge:
The main challenge is the sizing and life cycle analysis of a typical coalescing filter. To simplify the
Flownex model and assist with the analysis of the system performance, two new pressure loss
components have been developed and are also presented in this case study.

Benefits:
Although not overly complicated, the design and lifecycle analysis of a filter system has a few
interesting aspects that need to be highlighted. The two new components specifically developed
to assist with this analysis should prove useful to other Flownex users by simplifying the
specification of typical pressure losses in complex networks.

Solution:
A complete filter life cycle analysis is presented which may be applied to other similar filtration
systems in Flownex networks. Two simple compound components have been developed and are
discussed and demonstrated in this case study.

“The ability to simplify complex systems into a few basic components,

coupled with Flownex’s designer and sensitivity analysis capabilities,
offers the design engineer a tool of incredible power and flexibility.”
1
Page

Hannes van der Walt

Principal Thermal Engineer
Gasco (Pty) Ltd [email protected]
www.flownex.com
 COALESCING FILTER SIZING AND LIFE CYCLE
ANALYSIS USING RATED AND SPECIFIED
PRESSURE LOSS COMPONENTS
IN FLOWNEX HEAT TRANSFER MODELS
Introduction
In the oil and gas industry, Flownex is often used to build
complex gas flow networks with the purpose of determining
pressures, temperatures and velocities at any point, and
“The operational life cycle of
pressure losses of certain components or groups of
components, as well as the system as a whole. such a coalescing filter is
more complicated than it
As such, situations often arise where the pressure loss of a may at first appear and is
component or network area is known at certain conditions (at a
presented and discussed in
certain flow, a certain pressure and a certain temperature for a
certain gas) but calculations have to be performed at other this case study.”
conditions. It is for this specific purpose that the Rated Pressure
Loss component was developed and is presented in this case
study.

A typical application of the Rated Pressure Loss component is a gas coalescing filter, which serves
the purpose of removing solids and liquids from the gas, and as such will become increasingly
fouled, resulting in increasing pressure losses. The operational lifecycle of such a coalescing filter is
more complicated than it may at first appear and is presented and discussed in this case study.
Coalescing filters also serve to remove liquids from the gas flow, however, the detail of the liquid
removal process is outside of the scope of this case study and is not considered in detail.

Similarly, the user often wants to specify a constant pressure loss for a component or area, typically
during the design phase when pressure loss quotas are allocated to specific components or areas.
The Specified Pressure Loss component was developed for this purpose and is also presented in
this case study.

Gas Coalescing Filter Operation

Coalescing filters vary substantially in size and design. A reasonably large example of an upright
coalescing filter used in a gas-fired power station gas conditioning skid is shown in Figure 1. This
specific coalescing filter is fitted with 29 Pall Seprasol® cartridge elements offering 9.66 m2 of
filtration area and is designed to handle flow rates of up to 39.2 kg/s at a maximum inlet pressure
of 15306 kPag and a clean filter pressure drop of 13.1 kPa.
2
Page

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 Figure 1: Typical Natural Gas Coalescing Filters in a Gas Turbine Power Station.
3
Page

Figure 2: Operation of a Pall® Coalescing Filter.

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 Gas coalescing filters operate by passing the gas through filter cartridges to trap solids and liquids.
Figure 2 shows the typical operation of a coalescing filter as well as a single Pall Seprasol ® filter
cartridge. Gas enters the coalescing filter approximately in the bottom third with the vessel
diameter much larger than the supply line diameter. The consequent reduction in velocity is
enough to allow most liquid droplets and any larger solids to drop out of the upwards flowing gas
stream and be collected in the lower sump from where it may be drained in intervals.

The gas then flows towards the upper section of the vessel where it enters the filter cartridges from
the inside, leaving any solids behind as it flows through to the gas outlet as shown. Liquid droplets
that were not removed via gravity in the bottom section of the vessel due to their small size, will
also be coalescing in the fibres of the cartridges and will be collected in the upper liquid sump to
be drained in intervals. The number of coalescing filter cartridges housed in the filter vessel
depends on the following:

• the maximum gas flow rate;

• the expected solid and liquid material loading;
• the required clean filter pressure loss; and
• the required mean time between replacement (MTBR) of the filter cartridges.

During the early plant design phase the exact number of filter cartridges required may not be
known, however, the pressure loss characteristics of a single cartridge is readily available from
Pall®. The Rated Pressure Loss component simplifies the design process by enabling the Flownex
user to specify the pressure loss rating of a single filter cartridge (or a number of cartridges) and
then scale the elements to larger or smaller sizes according to an area ratio. Furthermore, different
flow conditions such as pressures, temperature and flow rates may then be used once a filter has
been rated.

An important part of filter design is to consider the operational life cycle of the unit with specific
emphasis on the mean time between replacement (MTBR) and bursting pressures of the cartridges
under certain conditions. To assist with this, the Rated Pressure Loss component allows the user to
apply fouling to the cartridges, resulting in increases in pressure losses.

Implementing the Rated Pressure Loss Compound Component

The Rated Pressure Loss component is based on Flownex’s General Empirical (GE) relationship. The
GE component is a very simple element that is often used to relate flows to pressure losses
according to the following simple relationship (refer to the Flownex Help):

∆𝑃0 = 𝐶𝑘 𝜌𝛽 𝑄 𝛼
Equation 1
where
∆𝑃0 is the total (stagnation) pressure loss [Pa]
𝐶𝑘 is the pressure loss coefficient
𝜌 is the mean fluid density [kg/m3]
𝑄 is the fluid volume flow rate [m3/s]
𝛼 is the proportionality constant between pressure loss and velocity and is taken as 2 since
4

the pressure loss is proportional to the square of the velocity

Page

𝛽 is the proportionality constant between pressure loss and density and is taken as 1

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 The above equation is expressed in terms of volume flow, but it may be reorganised in terms of
mass flow as follows:

𝑚̇2
∆𝑃0 = 𝐶𝑘
𝜌
Equation 2
where
𝑚̇ is the fluid mass flow rate [kg/s]

Given a known or required pressure loss, density and flow rate (mass flow or volume flow), the
required pressure loss coefficient may be calculated:

∆𝑃 ∆𝑃 𝜌
𝐶𝑘 = and 𝐶𝑘 =
𝜌 𝑄2 𝑚̇2
Equation 3

Note that these equations account for variations in density, and hence pressure and temperature,
but they do not account for variations in viscosity. Since viscous effects are very important in
pressure drop calculations, the Rated Pressure Loss component should only be rated and then
scaled with fluids (gases in this case) of similar viscosity.

These two equations have been implemented in a script and connected to a GE component via a
data transfer link (DTL) to create the Rated Pressure Loss component.

Figure 3: Implementation of the Rated Pressure Loss compound component using a GE

component and a Script.
5
Page

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 Figure 4: Implementation of the two forms of Equation 3 in the Script.

As shown in the script above, both forms of Equation 3 are implemented in the inner-most if-else
statement. The outer-most if-else statement allows the user to either specify rating parameters
(see the rating input fields above) or directly specify the pressure loss coefficient Ck.

B C

Figure 5: Using the Rated Pressure Loss Component.

6
Page

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 As shown above (left), the Rated Pressure Loss component is a simple compound component that
is used in a network like any other flow component. The input and result fields are shown on the
right in Figure 5. The user may specify a loss rating (option A) which then requires the specification
of an area ratio as well as several rating inputs as shown. The area ratio is the ratio of the actual
filter element surface area to the surface area of the filter for which rating data is supplied.
Typically this area ratio may be used as a number ratio of actual to rated filter cartridges.

Filter pressure loss rating data consists of a flow rate (mass flow or volume flow as selected by
options B or C), a reference density, which is the gas density applicable to the rating flow, and the
pressure loss, which would be measured for a clean filter at the rating conditions.

For fouling studies, the user may specify a level of fouling (the third field in circle A) which is only
valid between 0% and 99% and simply serves to reduce the filter area proportionally.

Lastly, the user may opt not to specify rating data and simply specify the loss coefficient Ck directly
as shown by D.

Implementing the Specified Pressure Loss Compound Component

This compound component is also based on the same Flownex GE element but only implements
the first form of Equation 3. It allows the user to specify a required pressure loss for a specific
component or group of components regardless of the pressure, temperature and flow rate. The
Specified Pressure Loss component script will then use the actual volume flow rate and density to
calculate an appropriate pressure loss coefficient Ck to result in the required component pressure
loss. Furthermore, the user may also specify a required or desired flow velocity. The script will then
calculate a required flow area to satisfy that requirement.

Figure 6: Implementation of the Specified Pressure Loss compound component using a GE

component and a Script.

This component has one more handy capability. As discussed above, the user may specify a
pressure loss for the current flow conditions which will result in an appropriate loss coefficient
being calculated. The user may then change the Loss Specification Option to Constant Loss
Coefficient. The component will then maintain the same loss coefficient regardless of the flow
conditions. This allows the component to be used in situations where a specific pressure loss is
known at a specific flow condition. The component is then “calibrated” and then switched to a
7

constant loss coefficient model, so that the pressure loss at other flows, pressures and
Page

temperatures may be calculated. This gives the Specified Pressure Loss component some of the

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 rating capabilities of the Rated Pressure Loss component albeit in a simpler, yet less flexible
manner.

Figure 7: Implementation of the two forms of Equation 3 in the Script.

As shown in Figure 7 above, the loss coefficient and area are only calculated and updated to the
GE component when the Pressure Loss option is selected.

C
D

Figure 8: Using the Specified Pressure Loss Component.

8
Page

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 As shown above, the Specified Pressure Loss component is used in the same way as the Rated
Pressure Loss component discussed before. The input - and result fields are shown on the right in
Figure 8. The user may specify a Pressure Loss option (option A) which then requires the
specification of the required pressure loss and required velocity. The results will include the
required flow area to satisfy the specified velocity requirement (B).

The loss specification option should only be changed to Constant Loss Coefficient after the
component had been “calibrated” to ensure a valid loss coefficient Ck is assigned to the GE
component. With this option selected, the pressure and velocity requirement input fields are
removed as well as the required flow area result field. As shown in Figure 8 (D) above, a constant
loss coefficient at a supply pressure of 4000 kPag instead of 1000 kPag as before will result in a
much lower calculated pressure loss. The Specified Pressure Loss component has been used to
represent the pressure losses of large sections of the gas conditioning skid.

Case Study: Gas Coalescer Filter Design and Life Cycle

A coalescing filter is to be designed as part of a gas conditioning skid feeding a gas-fired power
station. The skid contains the coalescing filter, numerous actuated ball valves, piping, an electric
heater and a pressure reducing section. The gas supply to the skid may vary widely in pressure as
the upstream piping, which runs for many kilometres, is used as a fuel gas storage buffer. The gas
supply temperature may also vary but the flow rate to the gas turbines must be kept practically
constant. The minimum fuel gas delivery pressure and temperature are guaranteed by contract
and are therefore very critical.

The filter cartridge manufacturer Pall® has advised the following:

• Filter cartridges must be changed out when the measured differential pressure across them
has reached 150 kPa.
• The filter cartridges may burst at a differential pressure of 415 kPa. During operation the
recommended maximum safe pressure differential is 300 kPa.
• Each coalescing filter cartridge is capable of handling liquid loads of up to 22 ppmm, hence the
number of cartridges may be estimated using the following:

𝑁𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑔𝑒𝑠 = 𝑅𝑂𝑈𝑁𝐷𝑈𝑃(0.04545 × 𝑝𝑝𝑚𝑚 )

where Ncartridges is the required number of cartridges, rounded up to the next integer,
ppmm is the liquid loading in parts per million mass.

• The following clean filter performance characteristics for flowing air were obtained from a prior
design:

Table 1: Existing Filter Design Performance Characteristics for Dry Air.

Pressure Temp Mass Flow Density Vol.Flow Number of ∆P
[kPag] [°C] [kg/hr] [kg/m3] [Sm3/hr] Cartridges [kPa]
800 15 5000 10.8 464 3 28.2
4000 15 5000 50.2 99.6 3 6.1
9

8000 15 5000 99.5 50.2 3 3.1

Page

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 The client has provided the following gas conditioning skid performance requirements:

Table 2: Client Design Performance Characteristics for Natural Gas.

Requirement Unit Value
Maximum fuel gas flow rate kg/hr 7200
Minimum fuel gas flow rate kg/hr 5000
Fuel density (STP conditions) kg/m3 0.7443
Maximum supply pressure kPag 7400
Minimum supply pressure kPag 1000
Maximum supply temperature °C 35
Minimum supply temperature °C 15
Delivery pressure regulator set pressure kPag 680
Contracted minimum delivery pressure kPag 550
Contracted minimum delivery temperature °C 10
Maximum liquid loading ppmm 80

A comprehensive Flownex model of the entire skid was developed in order to account for each
valve, pipe length, pipe bend, pipe T, coalescing filter and heaters. The purpose of this case study
is not to discuss that model but to focus on the coalescing filter unit and the use of the two
developed compound components. For completeness, however, Figure 9 is provided below as an
overview of the complete network in a clockwise manner starting from the top-left. Fuel gas enters
the gas-conditioning skid at the tie-in point at A into the filter skid. The coalescing filter is
positioned at point B. The metering skid houses two Coriolis flow meters at C. The heater skid
contains two electric heaters in series operation which are shown at D. The regulator skid houses
shut down valves and two pressure control valves at E operating in an active-monitor
arrangement. The skid outlet is at tie-in point F.

Filter Skid

C C
A
B Metering Skid

Heater Skid

F
E E
Regulator Skid
D

Figure 9: Complete Flownex Model Representing the Gas Conditioning Skid.

10
Page

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 Since this case study aims to discuss the application of the Rated Pressure Loss component as a
coalescing filter as well as investigating the operational life cycle of the filter in practical operation,
the network presented in Figure 9 is simplified to only contain the filter component, the heater
component and the pressure control valve. Other losses are represented by Specified Pressure Loss
components for simplicity. This arrangement is shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10: Simplified Flownex Model Representing the Gas Conditioning Skid.

Figure 10 represents actual pressures and pressure losses obtained from the full model. From a
pressure drop consideration, there is a very tight margin at low pressure and high temperature
(1000 kPag, 35°C) to be able to deliver 550 kPag at the skid outlet. Figure 10 shows the pressures
along the gas-conditioning skid for a clean filter. It was determined that only approximately 30 kPa
pressure loss can be afforded to the filter under the low pressure, high temperature conditions,
resulting in an outlet pressure of practically 650 kPag. This means that there is only a 100 kPa
margin for calculation inaccuracies and filter fouling. For simplicity, a margin of 50 kPa (should
typically be 10%) will be reserved for calculation inaccuracies which leave approximately 50 kPa for
fouling. A design minimum outlet pressure of 600 kPag is therefore targeted.

However, the first step is to verify the details obtained from the filter manufacturer. The
information may be checked using a simple network containing just the Rated Pressure Loss
component as presented in Figure 11. Entering the performance data received from the filter
manufacturer as the Rated Loss Inputs reveals that the calculated results are in close agreement
with the supplied information. It is also shown that the calculated loss coefficient Ck is
approximately constant with the value at 4000 kPag close to average. Therefore the rating data at
4000 kPag will be used in the case study. The next step in the design process is to determine the
number of cartridges required for this design. There is of course the matter of the liquid loading
which often governs this choice. This is normally advised or verified by the filter cartridge
11

manufacturer Pall®, but for this study it is simply estimated using the relationship provided at the
Page

start of this section.

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 Figure 11: Filter Supplier Performance Data Verification for 800 kPag, 4000 kPag and 8000 kPag
Respectively for Air.

Figure 12 shows the expected filter pressure loss for 3 cartridges (Area Ratio = 1.0), 4 cartridges
(Area Ratio = 1.333) and 5 cartridges (Area Ratio = 1.667). Aiming for a maximum clean filter
pressure loss of 30 kPa suggests the use of a 5 cartridge filter design.

Figure 12: Filter Sizing at Low Pressure, High Temperature for Natural Gas at Design Flow.
12
Page

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 For the liquid loading information supplied, the required number of cartridges is:

𝑁𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑔𝑒𝑠 = 𝑅𝑂𝑈𝑁𝐷𝑈𝑃(0.04545 × 80) = 4

In this case the pressure loss limitation dictates the sizing selection and a minimum of five
cartridges must be used.

Using the five-cartridge filter design, the worst case clean filter pressure drop scenario analysis is as
shown in Figure 10 above. It is also shown that the regulator is wide open since the pressure at its
inlet has dropped below the set point. Higher supply pressures and lower supply temperatures will
result in higher pressures at the regulator inlet and consequently the regulator may return to
actively regulating the pressure to the set point.

It may appear as if the current design is sufficient, however, before this design is considered
acceptable, the operating life cycle of the filter component has to be considered. This means that
the impact of pressure and temperature variations as well as fouling have to be considered.

There are three major issues or limitations that need to be considered:

1. Pressure Constraint System: Fouling may result in lower outlet pressures, especially for the low
pressure, high temperature case. Since there is not much available excess pressure above the
design minimum value of 600 kPag (550 kPag + 50 kPa safety margin) at the skid outlet,
fouling may cause pressures to drop below the minimum contracted pressure at the skid
outlet.
2. Filter Cartridge Changeout Pressure Limit: At higher pressures, the system is not pressure
constrained at the outlet, and hence fouling appears to become irrelevant. Note, however, that
the filter cartridge manufacturer has specified a maximum changeout pressure differential of
150 kPa.
3. Filter Cartridge Bursting Pressure Limit: Similarly, as the pressure increases, increasingly heavier
fouling appear to be allowable since as the gas density increases, the pressure differential
across the filter will decrease for the same physical fouling. However, there is a hidden danger
of filter cartridges bursting should the supply pressure reduce whilst the filter cartridges are
fouled at high pressures.

These limitations must be tested and the design evaluated using the model presented in Figure 10.

Pressure Constraint System: The filter pressure loss as a function of supply pressure at maximum
flow rate is presented in Figure 13. The lower two curves represent clean filter pressure losses for
15°C and 35°C. Since the gas density will be higher at lower temperatures, less pressure loss will be
experienced. The upper two curves represent a fouled filter. The level of fouling is determined at
the minimum supply pressure of 1000 kPag by adjusting the fouling percentage until a static
pressure of 600 kPag at the skid outlet is calculated. The fouling percentage is then kept constant
whilst calculating the filter pressure losses for higher supply pressures, i.e. the level of physical
fouling is kept constant. The reasoning behind this method is that should the supply pressure drop
from a higher pressure to the minimum, the minimum contracted outlet pressure can be
guaranteed.
13
Page

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 Figure 13: Clean and Maximum Fouled Filter Pressure Loss vs. Supply Pressure and Temperature
Ensuring 600 kPag Delivery Pressure (Maximum Flow Rate).

The two groups of curves (clean vs. fouled) plotted represent the minimum and maximum
temperatures. It is interesting to note that for the clean filter, the low temperature pressure loss is
less than for the high temperature as previously explained, however for the fouled filter, the low
temperature pressure loss is higher than for the high temperature. The reason for this is simply
that at low temperatures, there are less losses elsewhere in the system, therefore the filter is being
fouled more before the 600 kPag design minimum outlet pressure is reached. It is possible
therefore that a filter which is fully fouled at low temperature will cause a higher pressure loss
should the gas supply temperature increase, causing the skid outlet pressure to fall below the
design minimum guaranteed pressure of 600 kPag.

Hence, for a pressure constrained system where the supply pressure may realistically vary between
high pressures and the minimum supply pressure such as the one discussed in this case study, it is
recommended to allow fouling only between the two inner curves, i.e. the blue and red curves
representing the maximum operating temperature of 35°C. This will ensure that the minimum
contracted outlet pressure can always be guaranteed.

Filter Cartridge Changeout Pressure Limit: If the upstream control system can guarantee that the
supply pressure will not vary suddenly, or that higher pressures could be guaranteed for extended
periods of time, then operation may be allowed at filter fouling levels in excess of the Pressure
Constraint System discussed above. In such circumstances the filter fouling curve will be different.
The following figure presents the clean filter (blue) and fouled filter (red) curves from Figure 13
14

again and then adds three more limit curves for cases where the system will not suddenly become
Page

pressure constrained.

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 Figure 14: Filter Operational Envelope for Maximum Flow Rate.

As supply pressure increases, there is a larger margin between the minimum guaranteed outlet
pressure and the actual (calculated) outlet pressure. This excess pressure may be offset against
additional fouling until the filter cartridge change-out limit of 150 kPag has been reached as shown
by curve C (green series).

For further increases in supply pressure, the filter is capable of additional fouling by virtue of the
reduction in filter pressure loss resulting from the increasing density with increasing pressure.
However, the change-out limit of 150 kPag continues to apply and is shown by the horizontal line
D (purple series).

Filter Cartridge Bursting Pressure Limit: The filter cartridge bursting limit is represented by curve E
(orange series). This curve is calculated in a similar way to the fouling curve B (red series) by
solving for the fouling percentage at the minimum contracted supply pressure of 1000 kPag such
that a pressure differential of 300 kPa will exist across the filter. This level of fouling is then kept
constant when the pressure differential is calculated at higher supply pressures. In essence this
curve represents the upper fouling limit at any supply pressure and temperature such that filter
cartridges will not burst should a sudden drop of line pressure to the minimum occur.
15
Page

www.flownex.com [email protected]
 Discussion
For a pressure constrained system, the amount of fouling allowable between curves A and B above
may severely limit the MTBR of the coalescing filter. In such cases it may be necessary to increase
the number of coalescing filter cartridges in order to increase the operational “area” between
curves A and B.

Furthermore, at flow rates lower than the maximum, the operational envelope presented in Figure
14 must be derated to ensure that the resulting lower pressure losses do not translate into higher
levels of fouling, assuming constant density between maximum and actual flow rates:

𝑚̇𝑚𝑎𝑥 2
∆𝑃𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 = ∆𝑃 × ( )
𝑚̇

Summary
Two new compound components have been developed to assist in pressure loss calculations. The
Rated Pressure Loss component was used to design and analyse the coalescing filter, and the
Specified Pressure Loss component was used to combine large groups of components in the gas
conditioning skid into a single component as presented in this case study. These components are
capable of significantly simplifying complex networks and allowing the design engineer to focus on
specific areas of interest such as the coalescing filter’s operational life cycle.

The ability to simplify complex systems into a few basic components, coupled with Flownex’s
designer and sensitivity analysis capabilities, offers the design engineer a tool of incredible power
and flexibility.
16
Page

www.flownex.com [email protected]